Salvation Through Delusion C144

Chapter 144

There was something I learned while leading a civilian unit: no matter how desperate the situation, there were always troublemakers, fights, secret romances… and even cheating on the side. Life didn’t stop just because things were bad. So mediating disputes became one of my main duties.

“Focus on your goal.”

I met Black Bear’s eyes and emphasized the words.

“You’ve endured countless hardships to get this far. Do the same now. Fix your eyes on the end and hold on.”

“You’re telling me to kneel before Tyroc?”

“That’s not what I—”

“If that is your command, Savior… ha… I’ll obey.”

She ground the words out. We weren’t even a minute in and we were already at a cliff. I barely resisted the urge to panic-wave my hands. Calm persuasion was key.

“No. I’m not asking anything like that. And even if he talks like that, the Duke will help you. It benefits him too. So even if you don’t like his attitude… please bear with it a little.”

She didn’t answer right away. This was hard for her. I pressed a little more.

“The hardship is temporary. Picture what comes after — using divine power freely. Imagine storming Sarne’s stronghold with the very power they coveted. They’d collapse clutching their necks. Wouldn’t that feel amazing?”

“They wouldn’t collapse.”

“But they’d choke on rage.”

A short, incredulous laugh escaped her before she nodded.

“…Fine. I’ll endure it and learn. If Koon Tyroc actually steps forward.”

“He will. I’ll convince him.”

“….”

“What? You don’t trust me?”

“I do.”

Good. One down. I stood — and she added:

“Still… seeing how arrogantly he behaves even before a divine beast worries me. What if he treats you the same?”

Now was not the time to worry about me. I brushed it off, but she didn’t.

“If he ever disrespects you, tell me. I’ll deal with him.”

“…And how exactly would you do that?”

“I’ll rip out his tongue and cut off his head.”

“…I was expecting, like… an insult.”

“I’ll insult him before feeding the corpse to beasts.”

I covered my forehead. The future looked bleak. As expected, persuading her not to kill Tyroc took ten full minutes — far longer than our main objective. But at least she listened. My next target… did not.

“Ugh.”

After several attempts, I finally climbed onto the rock peak. It was flatter than expected — just enough space for me and the divine beast to sit.

The view stole my breath. No trees blocked the horizon; the entire forest stretched out below.

“Wow…”

Sweaty from the climb, the wind felt incredible. It cleared my head.

“This was worth climbing.”

The divine beast said nothing, but I felt she agreed. If she didn’t want to be here, she’d have floated away already.

I came to talk… but the scenery tempted me to linger. She moved slowly — she wouldn’t complain.

One of the best things about Tuvine was this living forest. My world no longer had anything like it. The abundance hurt to look at.

I exhaled sharply, steadying myself. Not the time to get sentimental.

“Please help.”

Her dark eyes slid toward me.

“You’ve waited a long time. You’ve watched Black Bear since childhood because you wanted to help her. So… help her now.”

I deliberately avoided phrasing it as a question. I did not want to decode slow-motion charades on a cliff.

She only stared at me.

“Duke Koon is arrogant—”

Flash!

Her eyes lit up.

“…Okay, yes, he’s extremely rude.”

Calm returned.

“But that’s not the point.”

Flash!

“Fine! It matters! Working with someone like that is hard!”

I waited until her gaze softened again.

“The point is Black Bear using your power. Focus on the outcome. Even if the process is unpleasant…”

Flash!!

“Even if it’s miserable and infuriating — it’s temporary!”

Silence. I already felt drained.

“If you miss this chance, you might only ever watch from her side. Seize the moment.”

Her gaze changed — calmer, warmer. She understood.

“Thank you. If you get frustrated, vent to me.”

She slowly raised her arms, pressed them to her head, and bowed. One character(ㅂ).

‘Mo… what’s that?’

[Likely: night.](밤 (bam) → night)

Night?

“Talk later tonight?”

No answer. She floated down gracefully, wings fluttering.

Easy for you to leave…

Now the final boss.

I searched around the cabin until I heard a sharp whoosh. Sword practice.

Tyroc was leaping from rock to rock across a grassy field, training like he’d done it a thousand times.

…This place is beautiful too.

The ground was lush — thick green waves of wild grass glowing under sunlight. It looked like a chaotic garden.

Good drainage… soft soil…

Wait.

My heart kicked.

I crouched and started scanning plants like a mad botanist.

Mo! Find anything that looks like chili peppers!

[Earth chili peppers are heavily cultivated. Wild variants may differ.]

Still — there has to be fruit! Leaves! Something!

I tore through the grass frantically.

A shadow fell over me.

“What are you doing?”

“Move!”

The shadow followed me. I looked up — and met cold eyes paired with a fake smile.

“…Done training?”

“What are you looking for?”

“My heart.”